ABSTRACT

 The study evaluated the effectiveness· of Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in Abia state. Expo-facto research design was used for the study. The area of the study is Abia state. Five research questions guided the study. One hypothesis were tested at 0.05 level of significance. A sample size of 420 respondents comprising 40 JAMB staff and 3 80 year one students of tertiary institutions in Abia state were drawn through the use of Multi-stage cluster random sampling technique for students and simple random sampling techniques for JAMB staff from a target population of 14,239. A 4-point rating scale questionnaire with face and content validity ascertained by three experts from; Measurement and Evaluation, Education Administration and Planning and Education Curriculum Studies in the college of Agricultural and Science Education in Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike and a reliability coefficient of 0.81 as a measure of internal consistency was obtained through Cronbach Alpha method. The data collected with the 380 questionnaires were analyzed with the use of mean and pooled mean to answer the research questions and t-test to test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The result revealed that Computer Based Test (CBT) have not enhanced the achievement of effective UTME in Abia state, JCT materials provided are inadequate, in Abia state, CBT examination centers provided are inadequate in Abia state and prompt release of results have not enhanced effective conduct of UTME in Abia state. Based on the findings, recommendations were made on effectiveness of UTME objectives for improved performance of students, among which are: forming a joint body consisting of NUC, NBTE, NCCE and JAMB to ascertain the capacity of students each tertiary institution· can handle: provide adequate and conducive examination centers in all the local councils in Abia state; . JCT facilities used by JAMB should be upgraded to meet up with the teaming number of candidates that want to register for UTME in Abia state. CBT commands should be outlined in Jamb brochure for the candidates to study, UTME examination centres should be in all the local government area in Abia state, to reduce overcrowding, overstretching of materials and inappropriate management of time. The board should improve or upgrade their internet protocol, band width and other facilities related to registration process to ease the problem of slow network experience during registration. The board should endeavour to read through all report from the whole centres where the examination took place before releasing results, to avoid the incident of results being released and later withdrawn. JAMB and government should provide training centers for candidates sitting for UTME or make computer studies a compulsory subject in secondary schools in Abia state.